As the new school year starts to settle in, educators seem to take a deep breath and brace for impact. Papers fly, pencil sharpeners roar, and we wipe the beads of sweat off our brow at the end of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, exhausting day. We collect the papers, clear the boards, wipe down the desks and get ready for the next bout of children exploding into our classrooms the very next day. We go home to our families, kids, friends....cats (for us single ladies) and say, "I'm already so tired, how will I find the energy to do it all over again tomorrow?"
I took a glimpse on the other end of the first days of school. I was invited to a Burmese dinner tonight. There were Karen missionaries, children, parents, and neighbors huddled around a small altar on the floor. They were praying Catholic prayers in Burmese, Karen, and English. Rosaries sparkled while hanging in the light from a nun's old hands. Children bowed their heads and hands and sat quietly.
As I sat in silence trying to follow, I wondered....why did we all get together? What's the point of this again? Why am I sitting here? So I asked. And I felt like I was sucker-punched.
They came together to pray for their children's new school year. They lit candles, gave offerings, and meditated on this thought for nearly an hour...going from home to home to repeat the ritual.
This mini paradigm shift changed my perspective from busy-teacher to humble servant. I realized that the hard times in the beginning of the school year aren't so bad. There are people who have gone through worse -- and are still able to find things to be grateful for. Something as taken for granted as a new school year. So this year, take the time to breathe, relax, and reflect on just what we're doing here. We're here to serve people who are grateful for what we do for them. Remember -- what teachers, principals, and school staff do is appreciated...even if we don't see it.
I took a glimpse on the other end of the first days of school. I was invited to a Burmese dinner tonight. There were Karen missionaries, children, parents, and neighbors huddled around a small altar on the floor. They were praying Catholic prayers in Burmese, Karen, and English. Rosaries sparkled while hanging in the light from a nun's old hands. Children bowed their heads and hands and sat quietly.
As I sat in silence trying to follow, I wondered....why did we all get together? What's the point of this again? Why am I sitting here? So I asked. And I felt like I was sucker-punched.
They came together to pray for their children's new school year. They lit candles, gave offerings, and meditated on this thought for nearly an hour...going from home to home to repeat the ritual.
This mini paradigm shift changed my perspective from busy-teacher to humble servant. I realized that the hard times in the beginning of the school year aren't so bad. There are people who have gone through worse -- and are still able to find things to be grateful for. Something as taken for granted as a new school year. So this year, take the time to breathe, relax, and reflect on just what we're doing here. We're here to serve people who are grateful for what we do for them. Remember -- what teachers, principals, and school staff do is appreciated...even if we don't see it.
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